Desert Ironwood

[grizzled gizzard]

Does all desert ironwood turn dark with age or use?

I can't seem to keep mine looking nicely figured and shiny as buffed with pink compound.

Sand to new, paying attention to all pins staying flush, and seal/finish?

 

[Tai Goo]

Yes, it all will patina with time. Sealers usually only slow it down, from my experience with it anyway.

 

[mete]

Most woods darken with age .It's mostly light that does it , sunlight or artificial .I watched carefully with the hard maple kitchen cabinets I had installed .Clear finished they went from pale to a very nice honey color within 1 year. The inside of the cabinets without light has very gradually darkened over the years. It was interesting to compare the outside with the inside over time.

 

[Burl Source]

Part of the color change will depend on how you finish the ironwood.
For example, with some of the brighter gold colored ironwood burl.
If you power buff the block it will change from gold to brown in a short time. I think the burnishing causes the ironwood to oxidize quicker (just a guess).
If you apply an oil finish and then paste wax and hand buff the wood maintains it's color much better (based on my experience).
Extended exposure to direct sunlight will dull the colors. Getting the wood wet will darken the colors.